SHAMS vs AMCFZ
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) (Sharjah) or Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMCFZ) (Ajman)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose SHAMS for…
- A similar overall offer; the decision comes down to location and activity fit
- Popular with freelancers and content creators
- Popular with media and marketing agencies
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) is a Sharjah government free zone that grew from media licensing into one of the UAE's most popular low-cost company setups. It suits freelancers, content creators, small agencies, consultants and online sellers who want a real UAE company without paying for an office. Licences are advertised from about AED 5,750, and a package with one residence visa typically lands around AED 14,000 to 15,000 before personal visa costs. Licences are often issued within a few working days, fully online.
Choose AMCFZ for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 774 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Popular with freelancers
- Popular with content creators
Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMC) is a low-cost Ajman free zone for media, digital, consulting and small trading businesses. It suits creators, freelancers, agencies and first-time founders who mainly need a legal UAE company and perhaps one or two visas. Published packages have been around AED 4,999 without a visa, about AED 13,000 with one and about AED 18,000 with two. Licences are commonly issued within one to three working days for standard activities.
SHAMS vs AMCFZ side by side
| SHAMS | AMCFZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Ajman |
| Packages from | AED 5,923 | AED 5,149 |
| Renewal from | AED 5,923 | AED 5,149 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~2 working days | ~2 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 5 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Virtual office, Flexi-desk, Shared office | Virtual office, Flexi-desk, Shared office |
| Activity areas | Media, Freelance, E-commerce, Consultancy, Trading, Tech & IT | Media, Freelance, Consultancy, E-commerce, Trading, Tech & IT |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 2021 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
SHAMS in brief
Sharjah Media City, known by its Arabic acronym SHAMS, was created by an Emiri decree in 2017 to give Sharjah a home for publishers, broadcasters and digital media. Within a few years it became better known for something else: an inexpensive, almost entirely online way for individuals and small teams to own a UAE company.
Strengths
- Among the lowest entry and renewal prices for a UAE free zone company
- Zero-visa option for founders who already hold residence or live abroad
- Mostly online process with e-signatures and fast licence issuance
- Broad activity list covering media, consulting, IT, education, e-commerce and trading
Watch out for
- Sharjah address, which some clients and tenders see as less prestigious than Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- Small, new SHAMS companies can find bank onboarding slow
- Larger visa quotas require paid workspace, raising the cost
AMCFZ in brief
Ajman Media City was launched around 2018 as Ajman's answer to Dubai's media free zones, aimed at producers, publishers, marketers and creative studios. Since 2021 it has sat under the Ajman Free Zones Authority, the same umbrella as Ajman Free Zone and the NuVentures Centre, which shares back-office systems and some services between the three.
Strengths
- Published, simple package prices.
- Among the lowest entry costs in the UAE.
- Broad activity list beyond media.
- Quick licence issuance.
Watch out for
- Limited physical facilities.
- Some media activities need a separate federal permit.
- Ajman address.
SHAMS vs AMCFZ: common questions
Which is cheaper, SHAMS or AMCFZ?
On our current packages, AMCFZ starts lower at around AED 5,149, against AED 5,923 for SHAMS. Compare renewal too: SHAMS renews from about AED 5,923 and AMCFZ from about AED 5,149. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, SHAMS or AMCFZ?
SHAMS allows up to 6 visas, depending on the office you lease. Both zones allow a similar maximum, so the office type decides your real quota.
Which is faster to set up, SHAMS or AMCFZ?
SHAMS is typically quicker at around 2 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a SHAMS licence valid for business in Ajman?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from SHAMS to AMCFZ later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
SHAMS or AMCFZ? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place